Red dots on handguns are nothing new. They are mainstream these days, and optics cuts on handguns are becoming as common as Picatinny rails. What’s still a little unusual is the presence of a red dot on a defensive revolver. It hasn’t quite become mainstream, but Taurus seems to be leading the charge with the 856 Defender and 605 Defender TORO series.
Red dots and optics on revolvers are not entirely a new concept, though. Hunting revolvers have long used long eye relief optics to extend their effective range. Smith and Wesson produced the 327 TRR8 with an optics rail, and you may have seen their popular stock image of the gun wearing an Aimpoint Comp M4. The six-inch barreled variants of the Chiappa Rhino also have an optics rail, and numerous other wheelguns have mounts and rails ready for optics.
What the Taurus TORO series did differently is apply the concept to a compact-frame, concealed-carry revolver. They didn’t use a rail either. ?Instead, they used an optics mount that directly mounts a compact optic to the top strap of the gun. This simplifies the mounting and allows it to be mounted as low as possible. With that said, why would we add a red dot to a revolver?
Red Dots on Revolvers (and Other Handguns)
Defensive revolvers are still kicking. Even in the era of the P365 and the 9mm cartridge, the defensive revolver still has some major benefits. They remain popular, and like most defensive handguns, they can benefit from a red dot.
One of the big advantages of a red dot is speed, and defensive firearms use revolves around speed. Instead of having to align a front sight with a rear sight, the shooter simply puts the dot on the target. This is much easier than trying to align sights in a gunfight. Defensive revolvers are also small, and a red dot completely eliminates sight radius issues. This makes it easier to shoot more accurately.
When it comes to longer-range shooting, the red dot makes it easier. An iron sight covers up a good portion of your target. If your target is small, then it could cover up the entire target. Red dots are much smaller, and while equally visible, they are easier to use at long ranges.
Also, red dots work regardless of external lighting conditions and allow you a true 24/7 sighting option. They just tend to be faster and easier to use, and allow you to shoot a bit more accurately.
The Unique Advantages of Red Dots on Revolvers
First, revolver sights kind of suck. Compact revolvers rarely have a real rear sight and are often left with a trench. Even on larger guns, the adjustable rear sights are fragile. I don’t mean to be rude, but revolver sights often suck. Since red dot sights are smaller than ever, they fit easily on compact revolvers.
Beyond that, revolvers don’t have a reciprocating slide. The optic remains stationary, and this is beneficial for a few reasons. The optic doesn’t move, so it’s easier to track and get back on target. Finding that red dot is quicker between shots and easier to manage. Additionally, there is less force exerted on the optic, which causes less stress to the optic.
I suck with revolvers, but the red dot on my 856 Defender TORO makes me a little better than an enthusiastic amateur. I can put round after round on a target fairly quickly, and with decent accuracy. The difference between shooting the gun with irons and with an optic is night and day. My groups shrink, as do my par times. I can shoot much further with much better accuracy.
When I switched to red dots on automatic handguns, I saw an improvement. When I tossed a red dot on my 856, I saw a revolution. Pun intended.
The Downsides
The downside to any red dot on a handgun is the size added to the top of the revolver. It changes something that could have been pocket-carried into something that’s a bit big for that task. There are also some issues with finding a holster to accommodate a revolver with a red dot. It will take time for the market to catch up and produce the necessary goodies to accommodate carry.
Of course, a red dot isn’t cheap. The price of the dot is almost close to that of the gun. There is something to be said for the fact you can use a cheaper-than-average dot with these guns due to the fact there is less G-force on the optic.
You still have to be somewhat selective. Red dots on revolvers sit fairly highly on the gun, which can make them interesting to zero. You’ll need a healthy dose of elevation adjustment to make sure the optic can be zeroed with your revolver.
Additionally, outside of the TORO system, most of these systems use an optic on a Picatinny mount that’s also on a rail. This pushes the optic even higher. Systems like the Taurus TORO lower them a bit, and hopefully, other companies will take a similar approach.
Lastly, witnessing isn’t happening any time soon. Even the TORO optic sits too high for any practical use with iron sights.
Best Revolver Red Dots
What are some good revolver red dots? That’s a great question. I’m honestly going to focus on the current crop of TORO-compatible options. This seems to be one of the few compact, easy-mounting, concealed carry options out there. Since currently the only plate options mount Shield RMSc footprint optics, I’ve kept to optics with that footprint.
Holosun EPS Carry
Arguably the toughest micro-optic on the planet is the Holosun EPS. The Holosun EPS is an enclosed emitter optic, and enclosed emitter optics are incredibly reliable. It’s tough, and things like rain can’t create issues with seeing your reticle. The Holosun EPS Carry comes with a 6 or 3 MOA dot, and the 6 MOA dot is perfect for a small revolver.
The view through the optic is quite clear and the dot itself is crystal clear. Controls are easy to use, and a side-mounted battery slot makes it possible to swap batteries easily. This is an impressive red dot option, and if it tells you anything, the EPS sits on my daily carry gun.
Vortex Defender
The Vortex Defender is a rather new entry into the world of budget optics. When I beat the hell out of a Defender, it proved to be surprisingly robust. Dual buttons make for easy adjustments to the crisp 3 or 6 MOA dot. I’m partial to the 6 MOA dot, personally.
I don’t think Vortex ever intended it to be a revolver red dot, but they do include a shim plate to add extra elevation range. It’s a nice touch. The optic isn’t perfect and does have a few odd features, like its shake-awake design, but for most users, it’s a very affordable red dot that’s tough as nails. Rarely do those two things cross paths, and the Defender is an exception.
Riton 3 Tactix MPRD 2
Taurus actually sells a package deal that pairs the Defender series with the Riton 3 Tactix MPRD 2 red dot. This micro-sized, incredibly simplistic red dot is easily mounted to the Defender. In fact, it’s the dot I use on my Taurus 856 Defender. It’s easy to zero. I snapped it on and then snapped it in.
The micro-sized red dot works for 50K hours and uses a simple CR2032 battery. It has a 3 MOA dot that’s surprisingly clear and crisp for such an affordable optic. It weighs less than an ounce and is also very affordable.
Is a revolver red dot worthwhile?
Adding red dots to revolvers is an odd mesh of old-world technology with new-school cool. Like any handgun, a red dot can be a huge benefit, and in my opinion, it’s well worth the cost and added bulk. Seeing the effective range increase, groups shrink, and par times cut will always be worth it to me.
